What does the Bible say about pets?

In Western society, pets have never been more popular. Many homes are graced with the presence of a cat or a dog—or a hamster, turtle, goldfish, chinchilla, newt, parakeet, or gecko. Everything from albino pythons to hissing cockroaches are caged and kept as pets. The Bible does not address the issue of keeping pets, nor does it contain an example of a pet owner. But we can still draw some conclusions based on what the Bible says on other topics.

Psalm 147:9 tells us that God is concerned for all His creation, including the animals He created: “He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.” In Psalm 104:21, we see that “the lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God”; it is implied that God feeds them. Also, in Luke 12:6 Jesus says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.”

If God cares for the animals, so should we. In fact, it is God’s care for animals that most fully explains our desire to have pets. God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:27), and we have inherited the part of God’s nature that cares for the animals. At the very beginning, God blessed the people He had made and commanded them, “Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).

When a child maintains an aquarium, for example, he or she is reflecting the nature of God, to a certain extent. An aquarium is creation in microcosm. The child creates the environment for the fish to live in, maintains the habitat, and feeds and cares for the creatures in the tank. The fish depend fully on the child to meet their needs, much like all of creation depends on God. Keeping a pet, then, is a weighty responsibility—it is modeling the Creator and exercising dominion over a portion of creation.

Many parents introduce a pet into their home to teach their children responsibility and other positive character qualities. Such life lessons are definitely biblical. Pets also provide companionship, amusement, and unconditional love. It’s why pets are taken to hospitals and nursing homes to interact with people in need. Any animal that helps us show love more freely is a good thing.

Those who have pets should love them, provide for them, and care for their needs. Loving an animal is not wrong, as long as we love people more. The care we show an animal entrusted to us is a gauge of personal integrity: “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal” (Proverbs 12:10).

Scientist can only think in the smallest terms. Thus they take the universe, and all of which is in it, and try to dissect small portions of it at a time. In practical terms they try and take creation, in Genesis, and try rationalizing all of it’s content .

The creation account is found in Genesis 1–2. The language of the Genesis account makes it clear that all of creation was formed from nothing in six literal 24-hour periods with no time periods occurring between the days. This is evident because the context requires a literal 24-hour period. The description specifically describes the event in a manner that a normal, common-sense reading understands as a literal day: “And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Genesis 1:5). Further, each sentence in the original language begins with the word “and.” This is good Hebrew grammar and indicates each sentence is built upon the preceding statement, clearly indicating that the days were consecutive and not separated by any period of time.

In my Post, “What happened on each of the days of Creation?,” @ http://wp.me/p26QNa-1zs we are able to see just how each days creation brings sustainability to the next days creation. For example: Creation Day 1 (Genesis 1:1-5) God created the heavens and the earth. Which sustains the second days creation of the sky.

When we get to Creation Day 3 (Genesis 1:9-13) God creates dry land and all plant life both large and small. [this creation will help sustain all the living creation of which is placed upon dry land].

Creation Day 4 (Genesis 1:14-19) God creates all the stars and heavenly bodies. The movement of these will help man track time. Two great heavenly bodies are made in relation to the earth. The first is the sun which is the primary source of light and the moon which reflects the light of the sun. [ the sun sustains the plants which grow in the earth].

Creation Day 5 (Genesis 1:20-23) God creates all life that lives in the water. Any life of any kind that lives in the water is made at this point. God also makes all the birds. [those of which will help sustain man and animals yet to be created].

Creation Day 6 (Genesis 1:24-31) God creates all the creatures that live on dry land. This includes every type of creature not included on previous days and man.

Now we see that each day preceding the next was designed to sustain life and man. Everything is in chronological order and designed to sustain the next. Evolutionist cannot explain our solar system without creation. For example: Which planet evolved first? Mar or Jupiter? Think of the massiveness of evolution in order to create a universe.

I have two wondrous cats; abram and Misha. Neither are pure-bred; but loved so much by me. They give me unconditional love [unlike man]. They are my companions and a vast void in my life would occur should anything happen to either. So I understand how you feel about Percy.

Wally, once again thank you for your comments and sharing. Both are greatly appreciated.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours always.

Some might associate it with mere rambling (smiling). I do try and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. Sometimes I go over board with the dialog, but mostly I believe people deserve a complete response. A complete response somehow brings greater clarity. I would think.
I am glad you liked the creation post. I think it brought out a detail often not found. I at least hope so.

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours, Wally.